Facsimile telecommunication unit with alpha-numeric entry mode for an automatic dialing function

Abstract: An operator/facsimile interface enables entry of alpha-numeric data from a telephone-style keyboard (58). Alteration of displayed alpha-numeric characters may be accomplished by actuation of arrow keys (78), or sequential key presses of an alpha-numeric key (58). A displayed alpha-numeric character may be entered by actuation of an arrow key (78), an Enter key (64) or a different alpha-numeric key (58). Completion of an alpha-numeric entry may be signaled by actuation of a Start key (66) or Enter key (64). The operator/facsimile interface enables a telephone number to be stored for subsequent recall by any of five separate procedure pathways. The combination of the above operator/facsimile interface features provides the operator with plural pathways to accomplish facsimile functions, thereby avoiding the single path per procedure prior art constraint.

Description: This invention relates to a telecommunication unit, for example a facsimile apparatus, which includes an operator interface that provides multiple, alternative, input paths to accomplish procedures employed by the facsimile. Other aspects of the subjects matter of this application are covered in our copending European patent publication No. EP-A-0 653 875 and EP-A-0 649 243 filed the same day as this application. Once a facsimile machine has been properly set up by the operator, it operates in a substantially automatic mode to accomplish its connection, transmission and sign-off functions. If the facsimile includes a "one-touch" feature wherein actuations of each of a plurality of single buttons accesses prestored telephone numbers, the transmitting fax machine, upon actuation of one such button, automatically dials the remote telephone number and transmits a standard recognition signal which the receiving facsimile acknowledges. Then, the transmitting and receiving facsimiles send short messages back and forth to select the highest speed possible before sending the documents. No action is required of an operator during this action, at either the sending or the receiving end. When a transmission is completed, the facsimile units automatically disconnect and the receiving facsimile provides hard copy for the operator. While transmission and reception operations of a facsimile are highly automated and require little or no operator input, such "user-friendliness" is often not manifest when an operator wishes to input instructions or data into the facsimile via a control panel. Facsimile/operator interfaces typically recognize only a single sequence of operations to accomplish a given input task. To determine the correct procedure sequence, the operator must refer to an instruction manual and follow its instructions slavishly to assure proper accomplishment of a desired task. Any deviation from the required sequence of operations will prevent the accomplishment of the desired task. Facsimile operator panels employ multiple keys that enable multiple functions to be accomplished - assuming the operator is aware of the proper sequence of key activations. Because of both cost and size restraints, little directory information is contained on the face of the operator panel other than short key names. Certain key names are ambiguous and lead to user confusion as to the exact function to be performed by the key. For any given facsimile task, there are usually a number of different "reasonable" approaches an operator might take to accomplish the task - assuming that the operator has not reviewed the facsimile's manual. Each different approach will be taken by some percentage by the operator population. The traditional facsimile interface appears intuitive to only that group of operators whose approach was implemented by the designers of the operator panel. Since modern facsimiles are sold worldwide and operator panels are used by operators from many cultures, the use of rigorous single-path procedures to accomplish facsimile-related tasks leads to user frustration and resulting dissatisfaction with the facsimile product - even though the facsimile operates in a perfectly appropriate manner when operated "according to the book". Accordingly, it is a preferred object of this invention to provide an improved operator/facsimile interface which provides multiple procedure paths to accomplish tasks related to the facsimile unit's operation. It is another preferred object of this invention to provide an improved operator/facsimile interface wherein procedure paths for accomplishing facsimile input functions are specifically designed to duplicate intuitive input functions are specifically designed to duplicate intuitive input procedures expected from plural operator populations. It is yet another preferred object of this invention to provide an improved operator interface for a facsimile wherein actuation of a single key enables reversal of discrete operator inputs. It is still a further preferred object of this invention to provide an improved operator/facsimile interface wherein an offer of help message is displayed, based upon an assumed need for assistance. An operator/facsimile interface enables entry of alpha-numeric data from a telephone-style keyboard. Alteration of displayed alpha-numeric characters may be accomplished by actuation of arrow keys, or sequential key presses of an alpha-numeric key. A displayed alpha-numeric character may be entered by actuation of an arrow key, an Enter key or a different alpha-numeric key. Completion of an alpha-numeric entry may be signaled by actuation of a Start key or Enter key. A telecommunication unit and method for entry of alpha-numeric characters in a telecommunication unit is disclosed. The telecommunication unit includes an operator panel with a telephone-style, alpha-numeric keyboard, where a subset of keys in the keyboard each have plural-assigned alphabetic characters in addition to a numeric character assignment. The operator panel has up, down, right, and left arrow keys, an Enter key, and a display panel, where the arrow keys provide movement control of a cursor on said display panel. The telecommunication unit further includes means for initiating an alpha-numeric entry mode of operation for the telecommunication unit, where the alpha-numeric mode enables entry of alphabetic and numeric characters into character positions in said display panel. The telecommunication unit also includes processor means responsive to an alpha-numeric key actuation during the alpha-numeric mode to cause the display panel to manifest a character assigned to the actuated key. The processor means is characterized by additionally providing that actuation of said arrow key causes a character position in said display panel to manifest other alpha-numeric characters assigned to the actuated key. The telecommunication unit is further operative such that repeated actuations of one of the arrow keys causes a first sequential display in a display panel character position of alpha-numeric characters assigned to an actuated alpha-numeric key. Repeated actuations of another arrow key causes a second sequential display in the character position of alpha-numeric characters assigned to the actuated alpha-numeric key, where the second sequential display is opposite in sense to the first sequential display. One of the arrow keys may be an up arrow key and another arrow key may be a down arrow key. An embodiment of the present invention is described below, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a high level block diagram of a facsimile that incorporates the invention hereof. Fig. 2 is a plan view of an operator panel constructed in accordance with the invention. Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate a flow diagram of operator/facsimile interface functions during an alpha-numeric entry mode. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile that incorporates an improved operator/facsimile interface. The facsimile is controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 10 which communicates with all of the main elements of the facsimile via a bus 12. The facsimile utilizes an ink jet print head 14 to provide hard copy output. A static random access memory (SRAM) 16 receives picture element data from CPU 10 via a gate array 18. Picture element data is fed from SRAM 16 on an as-needed basis via head driver 20 to an ink jet printhead 14. A plurality of motors are controlled by CPU 10 to perform various functions within the facsimile. Motor 22 provides a line feed (LF) drive function for a document being scanned. Motor 24 controls the movement of the carriage (CR) that carries printhead 14. Motor 26 controls the operation of the service stations (SS) at which printhead 14 is parked when not in use. Motor 28 controls sheet feed (SC) from a paper supply to and past printhead 14. LED array 30 and CCD array 32, in the known manner, scan a document to be transmitted and provide image data to image processor 34 and an SRAM 36. A program memory 38 stores the main control program for CPU 10. An operator panel CPU 40 is dedicated to assisting in the control of operator panel functions. The facsimile also includes a CPU work memory 42 and a coder/decoder 44 (CODEC) that provides data encoding/decoding functions for both incoming and outgoing data. A modem 46 provides standard telephone line interface function for signals that are fed through a network control unit 48 to and from the public switched telephone network. Operator panel 50 provides an operator/facsimile interface and includes a key switch matrix 52 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) module 54. A plan view of operator panel 50 is shown in Fig. 2 with LCD display 54 indicating a standard default message on its face. Operator panel 50 includes a plurality of "one-touch" auto-dial keys 56, each of which, when actuated causing an automatic dialing of a pre-loaded telephone number. A telephone-style 12 button key set 58 is positioned in the center of operator panel 50 and provides alpha-numeric input capability for the facsimile. Key set 58 is substantially similar to that found on the normal telephone except as follows: the '7' key has assigned to it alphabetic character Q; the '9' key has assigned to it the alphabetic character Z; the * key is, under certain circumstances, recognized as a YES input to the facsimile; the # key is recognized under certain circumstances as a NO input from an operator; and the '0' key enables display of a plurality of symbols on display 54. When the facsimile is in a dial mode, such as indicated in Fig. 2 by display 54, actuation of one of alpha-numeric keys 58 will cause the numeral assigned to the actuated key to be entered and displayed on display panel 54. When however, the facsimile is in an alpha-numeric mode, depression of one of keys 58 will cause either an assigned numeric or alphabetic character to be displayed in a character position on display panel 54 at which a cursor is present. Further details of the alpha-numeric mode will be discussed below. A plurality of function keys are included in operator panel 50. Operator actuation of STOP key 60 causes whatever function is in process in the facsimile to immediately cease and for the facsimile to reset to a default state (e.g. that shown on display 54). Actuation of Undo key 62 enables reversal of an immediately prior entry, without causing reset of the facsimile to the default state. The operation of the Undo key will be described in detail below. An Enter key 64, when actuated, causes a displayed cursor on display 54 to move to a next character position while the previous character position remains in its existing state. Start key 66, when actuated, enables commencement of a facsimile transmission or a copy function when the facsimile is in a copy mode. Both Start key 66 and Enter key 64 are, at times, recognized as commanding a commencement of a task. In a similar manner, Undo key 62 and the #/no alpha-numeric key are recognized by the facsimile, under certain circumstances, as providing a negative operator answer. Additionally, the #/yes key is sometimes recognized as an affirmative operator answer. Auto-dial key 68 enables access to one of a plurality of stored telephone numbers. An actuation of Auto-dial key 68 causes display of one of a list of telephone numbers available for automatic dialing. In order to select a particular telephone number to be dialed, the operator increments the display to a particular storage location where the desired telephone number is located. Then, by activation of either Enter key 64 or Start key 66, the Auto-dial function is commenced. The Auto-dial function preferably stores many more telephone numbers than are available for actuation by One-touch Auto-dial keys 56. Thus, for example, the Auto-dial function may enable any one of 50 telephone numbers to be selectively accessed, whereas One-touch Auto-dial keys 56 only enables 10 such numbers to be automatically actuated by operator selection of one such key. A Store Number key 70 provide the operator with a capability to insert a new telephone number into the Auto-dial listing. A Menu key 76 enables presentation on display 54 of a plurality of facsimile functions which may be implemented by an operator. Some of the displayed functions duplicate those that may be accomplished by selective operation of one or more function keys or alpha-numeric keys. Arrow keys 78 provide movement control of a cursor shown on display panel 54. They also provide the operator with an ability to increment through plural value selections or to move up or down through procedures indicated on display panel 54 as a result of an actuation of menu key 76. The remaining controls on operator panel 50 (i.e. contrast button 80, resolution button 82, and photo button 84 enable alteration of the respective functions in accordance with operator choices. These functions are not relevant to the invention described herein. From the description of the functions of each of the keys on operator panel 50, it can be seen that the operator has plural methods for causing a task to be accomplished or a value to be changed or various menu functions sequenced through display panel 54. As a result, the operator/facsimile interface does not rely upon a single predetermined path to accomplish many of the tasks required during operation of the facsimile. ALPHA-NUMERIC ENTRY PROCEDURES Turning to Fig. 3, a logical flow diagram is shown that illustrates methods available for alpha-numeric entry of characters into an alpha-numeric field on display panel 54. Initially, it is assumed that a cursor on display 54 is positioned within a field which is adapted to display alpha-numeric characters (box 100). To display an alpha-numeric character, one of alpha-numeric keys 58 on operator panel 50 may be selectively operated in the manner shown in box 100. More specifically, if the "1" key is pressed, then a 1 is displayed in the alpha-numeric field. If keys indicating "2" - "9" are pressed, then a first alpha-numeric character assigned to the respective key is displayed. For instance, if key "2" is pressed, the letter A will initially appear. If the same key is pressed again, then a next in the series of characters assigned to the key is displayed (e.g. "B"), etc. Successive presses of the "2" key will successively cause display of characters: "A", "B", "C" and "2". Continued presses of a key will cause a continued "rotation" of displayed characters at a display character position where a cursor is displayed. A similar rotation of displayed characters can be achieved, after a particular alpha-numeric key 58 has been pressed, by continued actuations of either of the up or down arrow keys 78. Those keys will respectively cause opposite sequence rotations of the indicated characters. If the "0" alpha-numeric key 58 is actuated, a symbol (e.g., +, -, x, etc.) is displayed at the character position on display 54 where the cursor is positioned. Continued actuations of the "0" key enable a sequential display of assigned symbols (including the "0" value) through the cursor-indicated character position on display panel 54. Actuation of the up or down arrow keys 78 will also cause a sequencing of displayed characters. While sequential alpha-numeric key presses or actuation of the up or down arrow keys can cause display of characters or symbols on display panel 54, such actions do not achieve an "entry" of the displayed alpha-numeric character. Such action is achieved (see box 104) by operator actuation of either Enter key 64, or the right arrow key of arrow keys 78, or a next alpha-numeric key. Any of those actions signals to the facsimile that the alpha-numeric character presently indicated at the cursor position is to continue to be displayed and the cursor is to be moved to a next character position. In the case where a next alpha-numeric key is actuated, not only does the cursor move to the next character position but the alpha-numeric character assigned to the next actuated key is displayed. Once the operator has completed entry of all desired alpha-numeric characters into an alpha-numeric field on display panel 54, such completion may be signalled by the operator pressing Start key 66 or Enter key 64 when the cursor is present at a blank character position (box 106). At such point, a query message is presented on display panel 54 which asks: "Set Another Number? yes/no". In response, actuation of the * key of alpha-numeric keys 58 designates a Yes, while actuation of the # key designates a No. If No is pressed, a default message is presented (e.g., such as shown at display 54 in Fig. 2). If the Yes key is pressed, a further alpha-numeric entry field is displayed and the process is available for repetition. By providing individual keys having Yes/No functions in the alpha-numeric mode, the user need not use the "9" and "6" keys to obtain access to the "y" and "n" alphabetic characters to designate a yes or no answer. It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. For example, the keyboard 52 need not be of telephone-style, each key 58 may have assigned thereto a single alphabetic character and the arrow keys 78 may move the cursor in directions other than up, down, right and left. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: A telecommunication unit including an operator panel (50) with a telephone-style, alpha-numeric keyboard (52), a subset of keys (58) in said keyboard (52) each having plural-assigned alphabetic characters in addition to a numeric character assignment, said operator panel further having up, down, right and left arrow keys (78), an Enter key (64) and a display panel (54), said arrow keys providing movement control of a cursor on said display panel, said telecommunication unit further comprising: means (70, 76, 78) for initiating an alpha-numeric entry mode of operation for said telecommunication unit, said alpha-numeric mode enabling entry of alphabetic and numeric characters into character positions in said display panel (54); and processor means (10) responsive to an alpha-numeric key actuation during said alpha-numeric mode to cause said display panel (54) to manifest a character assigned to said actuated key, characterised by additionally providing that actuation of said arrow key (78) causes a character position in said display panel (54) to manifest other alpha-numeric characters assigned to said actuated key. The telecommunication unit as recited in claim 1, wherein repeated actuations of one said arrow key (78) cause a first sequential display in a display panel character position of alpha-numeric characters assigned to an actuated alpha-numeric key (78), and wherein repeated actuations of another said arrow key (78) cause a second sequential display in said character position of alpha-numeric characters assigned to said actuated alpha-numeric key, said second sequential display being opposite in sense to said first sequential display. The telecommunications unit as recited in claim 2, wherein said one arrow key (78) is an up arrow key and said another arrow key (78) is a down arrow key. A method for entry of alpha-numeric characters in a telecommunication unit that includes an operator panel (50) with a telephone-style, alpha-numeric keyboard (52), a subset of keys (58) each having plural-assigned alphabetic characters in addition to a numeric character assignment, and up, down, right, left arrow keys (78), an Enter key (64) and a display panel (54), said arrow keys providing movement control of a cursor on said display panel, said method comprising the steps of: (a) initiating an alpha-numeric entry mode of operation for said telecommunication unit, said alpha-numeric mode enabling entry of alphabetic and numeric characters into character positions in said display panel (54); (b) responding to an alpha-numeric key actuation during said alpha-numeric mode to cause said display panel (54) to manifest a character assigned to said actuated key; and (c) responding to an actuation of a said arrow key (78) to cause a character position in said display panel (54) to manifest other alpha-numeric characters assigned to said actuated key. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein in step (c), repeated actuations of one said arrow key (78) cause a first sequential display in a display panel character position of alpha-numeric characters assigned to said actuated alpha-numeric key, and repeated actuations of another said arrow key (78) cause a second sequential display in said character position of alpha-numeric characters assigned to said actuated alpha-numeric key, said second sequential display being opposite in sense to said first sequential display. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein said one arrow key (78) is an up arrow key and said another arrow key (78) is a down arrow key.

Inventors: MILLER WILLIAM SCOTT, MILLER, WILLIAM SCOTT
Applicants: HEWLETT PACKARD CO, HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Application year: 1994
Main classification: H04M1
IPC codes: H04N1, H04M1, G06F3, H03M11